CSR

Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2012 Dodge Dart

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

1,081

Complaints

63

Crashes

14

Fires

36

Injuries

2

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 Dodge Dart have filed 1,081 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2012 and April 2024. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 454 of them (42%). The typical failure was reported at 42,000 miles, the median across the 868 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

19V293000 · April 11, 2019

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the shift cable to detach from the transmission.
The risk
If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the vehicle may not perform the shifts performed by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
This recall will be replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V674. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission side shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 5, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V34.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 298,439 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

15V800000 · November 25, 2015

The defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 27, 2012 to January 23, 2014 and equipped with either a 2.0L or 2.4L engine. In affected vehicles, engine oil from the vacuum pump may seep into the brake booster, damaging a component within the brake booster.
The risk
Internal damage to brake booster could result in a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster grommet for the presence of oil. If no oil is found, the vacuum tube assembly will be replaced. If oil is found, the vacuum pump, vacuum tube assembly, brake booster and master cylinder will be replaced. The recall began on May 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R63.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 105,425 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

15V542000 · August 25, 2015

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 24, 2012, to June 16, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience failure of the transmission control module (TCM), causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
The risk
If the transmission shifts into neutral, it can cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TCM and bracket, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on October 14, 2015. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R42.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 23,564 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

13V555000 · November 6, 2013

The defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured May 10, 2013, through August 24, 2013 and equipped with the Mopar 13 trim package. In the affected vehicles, the front seat mounted side airbags (SAB) may not have been properly installed into the seat.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating SAB deployment, the SABs may fail to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the SAB installation and re-install them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N61.

Chrysler Group LLC · up to 374 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN

13V238000 · June 4, 2013

The defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through February 28, 2013 and equipped with a 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine and dual dry clutch transmission. These vehicles may experience an engine stall when the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
The risk
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N32.

Chrysler Group LLC · up to 12,872 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE

13V124000 · April 3, 2013

The defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured on November 27, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with incorrect rear brake calipers, which could result in an inoperable parking brake.
The risk
If the parking brake is inoperable, the vehicle could roll when parked increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N21.

Chrysler Group LLC · up to 46 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 1,081.

POWER TRAIN 454 42%
SERVICE BRAKES 252 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 175 16%
ENGINE 163 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 103 10%
AIR BAGS 68 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 41 4%
STEERING 37 3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 31 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 29 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 27 2%
WHEELS 25 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 273.

2012 2016 2024
2012 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

2 deaths · crash · 15,000 miles

MY ASSESSMENT, WHICH IS BASED ON ENGINEERING EXPERTISE NOT EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE, SUGGESTS THAT, RATHER THAN RESPONDING TO DRIVER CONTROLLED BY-WIRE" INSTRUCTIONS TO BRAKE PREPARATORY TO A HARD RIGHT TURN INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE TOOK CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE, BRAKE, AND (DRIVE-BY-WIRE ?) CLUTCH PROPELLING ITSELF 20 METERS FURTHER DOWN-ROAD TO THE RIVER SHORELINE. PERHAPS READING THE BRAKE COMMAND AS AN ACCELERATION INSTRUCTION (OR ???) THE VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD AND DROVE ITSELF OFF THE ROAD, TUMBLING 2 METRES ONTO A BEACH, THEN FROM THE BEACH ONTO THE RIVER ICE WHICH EXTENDS OUT TOWARDS MID-RIVER. IT CONTINUED ACROSS THAT ICE ONLY TO END ITS FORWARD PROGRESS AT THE ICE/WATER BOUNDARY

NHTSA complaint 10494772, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 injured · crash · 10,155 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE DART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION YIELDING THE RIGHT OF WAY TO A PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE BEHIND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER FAILED TO REMAIN LATCHED DURING THE CRASH. IN ADDITION, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SEAT ROW DETACHED CAUSING HER CHILD SEATED IN THE REAR TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT AND HER 2 CHILDREN SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION

NHTSA complaint 11240903, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 70,000 miles

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASH WHEN VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT. RESULT OF CRASH, THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND DRIVER SUFFERED LACERATION ON HEAD AND BROKEN BACK.

NHTSA complaint 10925938. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 4,550 miles

I WAS INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT 12/20/2018, MY AIRBAG ON DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEFLATE. I RECEIVED BRUISE AND PAIN ON MY LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY. *DT *TR

NHTSA complaint 11165542. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

30,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had continued intermittently over the years; however, the warning light had remained illuminated while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA complaint 11582191. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

180,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a gasoline odor on the interior of the vehicle, after which several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel started flickering. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to shut off the vehicle, after which the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the alternator and the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who then diagnosed a failure with the

NHTSA complaint 11575399, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

117,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shifted into neutral without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse with a message stating that the gear was not available. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local transmission and a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the dual clutch was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that after further diagnostic testing, it was determined that the Transmission Control Module and actuator had failed. The contact stated that as

NHTSA complaint 11569902, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

97,945 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the front windshield trim was missing and that the adhesive around the front windshield was cracking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 97,945.

NHTSA complaint 11536049. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and RPM's decreased briefly before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a failure with the HVAC system. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, the contact was advised that the infotainment unit might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA complaint 11533096. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the service transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA complaint 11518723. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Dart

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 251 5
2015 517 6
2014 369 4
2013 274 1

Other 2012 Dodge models

Every Dodge on this site — 105 vehicles, 431 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst